Are horses livestock? DNR weighs the question

Here is another article that goes into more detail on the permit questions surrounding Rains Natural Meats and their plans to slaughter horses. The question is “Are horses livestock or not?” The word livestock has many definitions. Traditionally, here in the United States, we do not raise horses with the intent of being turned into food. Our horses are used for labor and as pets - not food. ~ HfH

How will horse slaughter stop horses from starving to death when they need to be healthy?

WASHINGTON — The Missouri Department of Natural Resources will help determine the fate of a proposed horse slaughter plant later this month, as state officials weigh a permit application that would allow the facility to begin processing equines in Gallatin.

With the deadline for a decision looming, officials with the company, Rains Natural Meats, say they are worried that political pressure will influence the process. Rains’ company representatives say DNR officials have already misinterpreted Missouri regulations in dealing with the horse slaughter issue.

But Gena Terlizzi, a DNR spokeswoman, said the agency has strictly adhered to state procedures. And she noted that Rains initially signaled it would not be slaughtering horses at the facility.

In November, the natural resources agency granted Rains a general operating permit to begin slaughtering livestock, except for horses. “DNR granted the permit they requested,” said Terlizzi.

But attorneys for Rains say the state has never excluded horses in granting such permits, and they objected to the exclusion of equines.

“Horses have always been considered livestock under Missouri law and code,” said Blair Dunn, a New Mexico-based attorney representing Rains. But now, DNR officials have “got it into their heads” to treat horses differently, he said.

He suggested the decision was political. “The resistance in Missouri seems to come from the agency and therefore the governor,” Dunn said. The Humane Society of the United States “screams so loud it makes politicians nervous. They don’t want to get crosswise with them for fear of being attacked.”

Scott Holste, a spokesman for Gov. Jay Nixon, did not respond to questions about whether Nixon supports horse slaughter for human consumption. He referred questions to Terlizzi, the DNR spokeswoman, who said the matter was being handled in accordance with Missouri regulations and with no involvement from the governor’s office.

Bruce Wagman, an attorney for Front Range Equine Rescue, a horse advocacy group that has been fighting Rains’ efforts to secure a permit, said DNR was right to make the distinction between horses and other livestock.

Have fun while helping the spread the news about Habitat for Horses with our Facebook St Patrick’s Day Horse Photo Contest. Go to https://www.facebook.com/Habitat.for.Horses.organd click on the St Patty’s Day Photo Contest Link to find out more.